UK May Have Stricter Social Media Rules Than Australia

By Luke Cooper

Topic: Social Media

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 4:48 am

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to protect children from social media harm.

He plans to introduce a new social media policy that could be stricter than Australia's.

Mr. Starmer met with families who lost children due to harmful online content.

He said he would act to protect British children from social media harm.

The UK might set a minimum age for social media use.

Mr. Starmer said, 'I'm clear that we need a game changer.'

A government consultation on social media restrictions has ended.

The consultation looked at setting a minimum age for social media use and curbing addictive features.

Sir Keir met with social media industry leaders to discuss possible actions.

The government will respond to the consultation findings soon.

Many MPs are calling for action on social media harm.

Roblox will introduce restricted accounts for children and teenagers.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting said the UK should go further than banning under-16s from social media.

He said, 'We must give children their childhood back.'

Other countries are considering following Australia's lead on social media bans.

These are the measures being considered around the world.

Australia was the first country to ban social media for under-16s.

On December 10, 2025, Australia's social media ban took effect.

Over two days, 4.7 million accounts were deactivated on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Before the ban, 1.3 million Australians aged 8-15 used social media.

Tech companies are being criticized for not keeping children off their platforms.

The Australian eSafety Commissioner said companies are making efforts to prevent underage users.

Communications Minister Anika Wells called the number of deactivated accounts a 'huge achievement'.

She said the law is making a real difference, but some teenagers found ways to circumvent the restrictions.

Europe is also taking action on social media harm.

The European Union is watching and learning from Australia's experience.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will seek stronger protections for children.

The EU will target addictive and harmful design practices in its Digital Fairness Act.

The European Parliament agreed on a resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 on social media.

Denmark will ban social media for children under 15, with some exceptions.

France voted to ban under-15s from social media, but the law's future is uncertain.

The European Union will learn from Australia's experience and implement its own measures.

In Germany, children aged 13-16 need parental consent to use social media.

Greece plans to introduce a ban for under-15s in January 2027.

Italy requires parental consent for under-14s to use social media.

Spain will ban children under 16 from social media and introduce age verification systems.

Austria and Turkey are also introducing social media bans for children.

Asian countries are taking action on social media harm.

India's chief economic adviser called for age restrictions on social media.

India's southern state of Karnataka banned social media for under-16s.

China introduced a 'minor mode' program to restrict screen time for children.

Indonesia and Malaysia are introducing bans on social media for under-16s.

Some countries in the Americas are taking action on social media harm.

In the US, legislation to protect child users has faced opposition.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz supports the Kids Online Safety Act.

Utah became the first US state to pass a ban on under-18s using social media without parental consent.

Brazil passed a law requiring under-16s to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian.

The law also bans addictive features and requires age verification mechanisms.

ABC/Wires

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 4:48 am

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 6:14 am

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